1930s: Hollywood movie studios have a huge amount of control over their actors, even the stars. Actors sign multi-movie contracts that limit their ability to select the films in which they appear, and their private lives are governed by strict codes of behavior.

Today: Movie stars have unprecedented freedom to choose their work and in some cases play a role in the producing or directing of their films. Studios regularly pay stars millions of dollars for their work in only one film.

1930s: With the Great Depression taking a toll on families' budgets, multiple generations living under the same roof, or doubling-up, becomes the norm again. In West's novel, Faye and her father share an apartment.

Today: The post-World War II housing boom launched a series of generations that never expected to live with their parents after they left home for school or work. A trend has...